abrasive

noun
UK: /əˈbreɪ.sɪv/
US: /əˈbreɪ.sɪv/

  1. A substance used for grinding or polishing.

    1. Sandpaper is a common abrasive. [ ] [ ]
    2. The dentist used an abrasive paste to polish my teeth after the procedure. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

corrosive irritating caustic grating
abrasive adjective

  1. Causing damage or wear by rubbing or grinding.

    1. Be careful with this abrasive cleaner. [ ] [ ]
    2. The abrasive action of the water slowly eroded the cliff face over time. [ ] [ ]

  2. Rude and unkind.

    1. His abrasive style got him fired. [ ] [ ]
    2. Her abrasive manner often made people feel uncomfortable in conversations. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "abrasive" is /əˈbreɪ.sɪv/ in British English and /əˈbreɪ.sɪv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "abrasive": corrosive, irritating, caustic, grating.

Example usage of "abrasive": "Sandpaper is a common abrasive.". More examples on the page.